Local track athletes headed for Junior Olympics national meet

The Evergreen Storm Track Team qualified athletes in 55 events for the United States Track and Field Junior Olympics National Championships.

The national championships for boys and girls ages 7-18 run July 27 through Aug. 2 in Jacksonville, Fla. Athletes qualified during a regional meet held July 10-12 at Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Ore.

The Storm won 15 events during the Region 13 championships.

Rachel Blair won three distance racing regional titles in the girls 13-14 age division. She won the 800 meters in 2 minutes and 17 seconds, the 1,500 in 4:44 and the 3,000 in 10:15.

Five Storm athletes won two gold medals at the regionals.

Trey Knight was the champion in the discus (171 feet, 9 inches) and the shot put (53-3) for boys ages 13-14.

Miguel De La Melena was the 2,000-meter steeplechase champion for boys ages 15-16. He also was part of a champion 3,200 relay team and qualified for nationals in the 800 meters and the 1,500.

William Sun won the 400-meter hurdles for boys 15-16 (59.57) and was part of a winning 1,600 relay team. He also qualified for nationals in the 110 hurdles.

Molly Beaman won the 800 meters for girls ages 15-16 (2:21) and was part of a winning 3,200 relay team. She also finished second in the 1,500 (5:01).

Presley Timmons won the 400 hurdles for girls ages 15-16 (1:08) and also was part of the 3,200 relay.

Other Storm athletes who won individual regional gold medals were Kate Kadrmas (girls 13-14 100 hurdles, 15.70), Antonio Rubio (boys 13-14 high jump, 5-9) and Olivia Green (girls 11-12 80 hurdles, 14.37).

Members of Storm relay teams that won regional titles included Kennedy Breier, Ellen Bubank, Baraniko Aria, Parker Linhart-Wubena, Anthony Miranda, Ryan Cibart, Sean Flynn and Miguel Cruz.

Others who qualified for nationals with a top-five finish at regionals were: Malaika Oliver, Aurora Chaney, Blake Derringer, Ethan Tonder, Victor Naumov, Amanda Creagan, Lucy George, Kyan Thompson, Madison Shalk, Elizabeth Vanina, Ethan Gould, Kaelyn Shipley, Cade Greseth, Tyler Dihn, Shun Yamiguchi, Porter Craig, Evan Yackell, Brenna Morgan, Natalie Davies, Casey Murray and Lance Stuck.

Flanagan Clan qualifiers — Four individuals and one relay team from the Flanagan Clan Girls Track Club of Woodland qualified for the nationals at the Region 13 meet in Beaverton.

Rachel Willson finished second in the 2,000-meter steeplechase for girls ages 17-18 with a time of 10:16.5. Kate Cochran placed fifth in the discus for ages 17-18. Willson and Cochran plan to go to nationals, according to coach Bruce Flanagan.

Nicole Guthrie qualified in three events in the 13-14 age group, taking second place in the high jump (5-foot-3) and fifth in the triple jump and the 100 hurdles. Ruby Heidgerken placed fourth in the 6-pound shot put and in the discus for ages 11-12. In the 400 relay for ages 11-12, Kendrie Guy, Jenay McCants, Abbie Huston and Dezohnae Dodds finished fourth.